A bike breaker is a handy tool to have if you own a bike. In this article, we will take a closer look at when to use a bike chain breaker. So, when should you use a bike chain breaker?
Do you need a bike chain breaker? When do you need to use it? How do you use a bike chain breaker? This article will guide you on the use of a bike breaker.
A bike chain breaker will come in handy during two scenarios. First, you will need it to disconnect the chain links, when you are replacing an old or worn out or adjusting a chain. You will also need to use a chain breaker when reconnecting the chain.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what a bike chain breaker is, when to use it, as well as how to use it. So, if you’ve been wondering when or how to use it, the information contained in this guide should answer your questions.
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Overview
A high-quality bike chain will last approximately 3,000 miles or around four years. However, if you ride your bike frequently, the chain on your bike may wear out sooner. And after it wears out, you will have to purchase another chain. And in most situations, bike chains don’t come with the correct length, meaning you will have to adjust them so that they can fit.
And when it comes to adjusting, you have two options. First, you can take it to a bike repair shop. Secondly, you can adjust it yourself. However, it can be quite costly to take the chain for adjustments at the shop every time. In short, the first option is the most cost-effective.
However, adjusting the bike chain’s length manually can be an extremely tedious process. And this is where a bike chain breaker comes in. It will simplify your work when it comes to adjusting your bike’s chain length.
About Bike Chain Breakers
As its name suggests, a chain breaker is designed to help you disengage a bike’s chain or remove the links. If you were to do it the traditional way, you would have to remove the rivets holding the chain manually, using a metal punch or a similar tool.
And as you may expect, removing the rivets manually will consume a considerable amount of your valuable time. But with a chain breaker, your work is a whole lot easier, since it uses mechanical power. So, it will not only save you time but energy. Also, it will reduce the impact of breaking the chain on your hands.
A high-quality chain breaker will cost you approximately $50. While this may appear like a high cost to pay for something that appears so basic, the amount of time and effort that this tool will save you will be worth the cost.
So, if a bike is your main means of moving around, it will be highly advisable to invest in a high-quality bike chain breaker. It will be a handy tool to have every time you are on the road. You just don’t know when you will need to replace or repair your chain.
When to Use a Chain Breaker
As mentioned above, a bike chain breaker is designed to help you disengage the rivets holding the chain together. And, there are two times when to use a chain breaker. First, you will need it when shortening a new chain to fit your bike or replacing a chain. Secondly, you will need a bike chain breaker to reconnect the chain.
Whether you want to remove an old chain from your bike and replace it with a new one or you want to shorten its length, you will need to disengage the links or rivets first. And a chain breaker is the right tool for this one. So, how do you use a bike chain breaker? Here are the steps you should follow.
Disconnecting the Bike Chain
First, you should turn the chain breaker’s handle following an anticlockwise direction, until its pin has moved back far enough, to create enough space for placing the bike’s chain.
From there, you should then place one of the chain’s links in one of the slots. Most chain breakers come with two slots, where you can place a bike’s chain link. There’s an innermost slot and an outermost slot. The outermost one is designed for disconnecting and reconnecting a bike’s chain while the inner one is designed for loosening the links.
If the chain breaker you are using has two slots, then you will place the link in the outermost one. After positioning it there, you will then tighten the handle following a clockwise direction until the breaker’s pin connects to the pin on your chain.
You will then continue tightening the handle following a clockwise motion until you see the chain’s pin protruding from the other side. From there, you should continue pushing it until you experience some resistance. At this point, the pin is pushed far enough in such a way that you can now twist and disconnect the link.
You need to be extra cautious when pushing the chain pin. If you push it all the way out, there’s no way of getting it back in. And in such a situation, you will either be forced to replace or shorten the chain – which wasn’t what you had set to do. So, pay close attention to this process.
Reconnecting the Chain
Whether you are installing a new chain or you were modifying the current one, you can also use the chain breaker tool to reconnect it. First, you will need to twist and push its links back together. As you do so, the pin will clack back and the plates should align.
From there, you will then place the link on the same slot. The protruding pin should be facing inward. If this is the case, you can now begin tightening the tool’s handle until it the length of the pin poking from either side is equal. If this is the case, then your chain is properly reconnected. If there’s an imbalance on one side, you can simply use the chain breaker to push the pin until you obtain the perfect balance.
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